The war in Sudan is intensifying, with the UN raising alarm over the increasing danger to civilians. Reports of ethnic-based attacks by army-allied militias in Al-Jazira state and allegations of chemical weapons use by the Sudanese army have fueled fears of a further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis. The UN has documented the use of heavy weaponry in populated areas and called for independent investigations into the alleged war crimes. Meanwhile, the US has imposed sanctions on both the Sudanese army chief and the RSF commander for their roles in the conflict.
People queued for water in Omdurman, the Sudan ese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudan ese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 17, 2025. Since April 2023, Sudan has been at war between the forces of rival generals vying for control. Most of Omdurman is under the Sudan ese army's control, while the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hold Khartoum North and some other areas of the capital.
- AFPpix: The United Nations human rights chief warned Friday that the war in Sudan is becoming “more dangerous” for civilians, following reports from rights groups of army-allied militias carrying out ethnic-based attacks on minorities in Al-Jazira state. The “Sudan conflict (is) taking a more dangerous turn for civilians,“ UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk said on social media platform X, adding that “there is evidence of... war crimes and other atrocity crimes”. The Sudanese army, at war with rival paramilitaries since April 2023, led an offensive this week on Al-Jazira state, recapturing its capital Wad Madani from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Rights groups said on Monday that at least 13 people, including two children, were killed in ethnically-targeted attacks against minority communities in the agricultural state. Though the RSF has become notorious for alleged ethnic-based violence, reports have also emerged of civilians being targeted on the basis of ethnicity in army-controlled areas. On Thursday, the US treasury department announced sanctions against army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accusing the army of attacking schools, markets and hospitals, as well as using food deprivation as a weapon of war. It came a week after the US also slapped sanctions on RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, accusing his group of committing genocide. Responding to recent reports from US officials of the Sudanese army using chemical weapons in Sudan, spokesperson of the UN human rights chief Ravina Shamdasani said Friday that due to limited access, the UN “has not specifically documented” such practices during the war. At a briefing on Friday, Shamdasani described the reports as “very worrying”, adding that “they do require further investigation”. She said what the UN has documented is “the use of extremely heavy weaponry in populated areas”, including air strikes on marketplaces. Both sides have been accused of targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas, with the RSF specifically accused of ethnic cleansing, systematic sexual violence and laying siege to entire towns. The war has killed tens of thousands, uprooted over 12 million and pushed the country to the brink of famine, creating what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. In its latest reports, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that over 120,000 people have fled the ongoing violence in the southern Sudanese states of Blue Nile, White Nile and Sennar to South Sudan since early December 2024.
Sudan War Civilians Ethnic Violence Chemical Weapons Human Rights UN Sanctions Humanitarian Crisis
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sudan's Healthcare System Crumbles under Years of WarSudan's healthcare system is on the verge of collapse due to the ongoing conflict between rival generals. Hospitals are overwhelmed with war-related injuries, and medical supplies are scarce.
Read more »
Thousands Flee Sudan Town Amid ClashesThousands have fled the town of Um Rawaba in North Kordofan state following clashes between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces.
Read more »
Ex-Syrian Army Chief Jailed for 10 Years in Germany for War CrimesA former Syrian army chief, Ahmad H., was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Germany for war crimes committed during the rule of Bashar al-Assad. The court found him guilty of torture, deprivation of liberty, and enslavement.
Read more »
Lebanon Refugee Camp Struggles Amidst Israel-Hezbollah WarThe Dbayeh refugee camp in Lebanon, home to Christian Palestinian refugees, is facing extreme hardship due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Read more »
North Korea Defends Military Alliance with Russia Amid Ukraine War CriticismNorth Korea maintains that its military pact with Russia is highly effective against the US and its allies. Pyongyang rejects accusations of aiding Russia in the Ukraine war and condemns international criticism of its ties with Moscow.
Read more »
Pope Francis Sends Aid and Hope to War-Torn Ukraine Ahead of ChristmasPope Francis is demonstrating his continued support for Ukraine by sending Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, head of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Service of Charity, to the country before Christmas. Cardinal Krajewski will deliver a mobile hospital, ultrasound scanners, and bring a message of hope to Ukrainian communities.
Read more »